//------------------------------// // R & R // Story: Luna's Week Off // by Wolfsalvo //------------------------------// (Mark’s P.O.V.) Taking a seat at the table, I looked beside me and saw Luna smiling softly towards me with what could only pass as a distant look in her eyes. She had been that way ever since we left the waterfall earlier, and I knew entirely why; I had stolen a kiss. I wasn’t aware of any past relationships she had before, as I knew without a doubt that someone of her age should at least of had a few before she met me. What I didn’t understand though, was every little touch, every little flirt, and the occasional intimate contact between us was received almost as if she was completely innocent of romance. This, while nothing to worry about, did bring a curious amount of questions in tow. Yet I pushed those all to the back of my mind for later questioning as I chuckled softly, and this snapped Luna from her blushing daydreaming. Princess Celestia seemed all the regal motherly figure that her little ponies viewed her as, yet she had her less refined and relaxed personal side as well. Luna did as well, and it was cute, funny, and downright enlightening to see her side that wasn’t what she showed the public. While out and about, aside from our birthday night, she presented herself as nobility. At least she wasn’t snobbish how that one Unicorn was that we met earlier. Who knew nobles had allowances? Leaning closer, I saw Luna’s eyes follow my own as I stopped, and I asked quietly, “Something on your mind, Luna?” Her cheeks seemed to almost flush with more color, but always the playful one, she smiled back at me and merely said just as quietly, “Only thee...” Touche... tables turned. Smiling as I felt my cheeks flair with heat from the unexpected honesty, I had truthfully expected her to deny me an answer and to change the subject or something similar. It was this trait that made her, so quickly, become an endearing part of my every waking moment of life. Her playfulness, combined with her mischievous mindset was something that seemed to always keep me on my toes, especially after Clyde, damn his teasing mindset, had told her I would steal a kiss. She took that to heart. Clearing my throat as I leaned forward and against the table, this time it was my turn to change the subject, but as soon as I opened my mouth to do so, an idea popped into mind. An idea that would give me an idea to what she was thinking about me, along with giving me a deeper insight of the beautiful mare that was infatuated with me. Closing my mouth as I smirked, I gave her a wink as I slowly leaned back, and then I asked the question, “And pray tell, what arte thou thinking of me, thy beautiful princess?” I had no idea if I even used her version of speaking correctly, or even if those were the proper ways of using them, but the sight of her eyes widening, even miniscule, was still something to behold. Her smile widened some more, but it was her horn lighting up that brought my eyes away from her own. Yet the sound of a ringing bell was all I needed to know what it was for. Yet it wasn’t until her voice dropped an octave did she say even quieter, “Thou swam with me... what is the difference of a bath, or as you humans prefer, a shower?” Just thinking of that immediately brought the image of her muzzle and mane wet to mind from earlier, and I felt my cheeks immediately start a bonfire on my face. She looked a different level of beautiful in that moment, and it had been then that my heart had done a flip in my chest and lodged itself in my throat. Just how it was now just thinking of that moment earlier today. And she knew... Luna’s smile only widened as I grinned nervously, and I merely shook my head as I chuckled in embarrassment. True, I would never forget that moment of perfect clarity and utter happiness of holding her in my arms, but there had been a clear line there. Just as the sound of doors opening was heard, I said quietly, “There is only a single difference that makes up for that reason... we would be seeing more of each other than when swimming.” Her eyes remained as carefree as before, her smile as wide as before, and her cheeks lost some of the blush to them, but I saw the tenseness in her features as she obviously fought not to show her true emotions to the chefs that she summoned. And it was then that we both looked over, and it was there that the chef stopped and asked in his oblivious tone, “What can we get for you princess?” As he happily wrote down what she was saying, I heard another chef do the same for me, and I too began to answer. Though as I answered the chef, I was still thinking of what I just said to my dear infatuated princess. As I continued to mindlessly answer the chef, it was then that I began to truly feel my cheeks heating up even more, and it was then that I realized; unlike Luna, I hadn’t stopped blushing when the chefs came in. That only made it worse for me in the end... Once the chefs were done, I looked back at Luna, and found her smiling as she started to blush a bit more. Her eyes met mine for a few seconds, before they wandered back to the tabletop and she giggled quietly, obviously thinking of something else. That left my mind to wander as I nervously looked back at the table, and I knew without a doubt that instead of getting her to cease her insistent desire to bathe with me, I just gave her more ammo... somehow. That was proven when I felt her wing slowly wrap around my back slowly, and as her wing tightened around my shoulders, she asked a question that caused a chill to run through my body. “Dost thou not find the act of showering with thy princess an appealing prospect, my dear Mark?” She didn’t know how tantalizing that thought was, or even how I was the only one that prevented that from happening. That didn’t stop her, as her smile never ceased as she scooted her chair closer and asked quieter, as if to prevent listening ears from hearing, “Wont thou join me tonight in my personal bath? It will be refreshing to have someone to speak with whilst I bathe.” She either was trying to sound innocent of the fact, or knew full well, but either way she seemed to be oblivious to how she was wording her request. It did sound like an appealing and quite simple thing when she said it like how she was, yet in reality I knew it would be much more involved than what it was sounding like. I knew before I even met Luna that ponies in general were a very social species, going as far to be very open with normally sensitive conversations, but I didn’t know the extent of those conversations. I wanted nothing more than to believe it was an honest request, yet if it was that simple, then it begged the question as to why she was even whispering instead of speaking in an open tone. Then again, she wasn’t just beautiful, but smart as well. I had seen the times when she had been close to giving me a kiss, but she had played it off as nothing more than a nuzzle or with a smile. Earlier in the lake was a perfect example... Yet as she looked towards me expectedly, I knew without a doubt I at least wanted to maybe partake in a bath with her... especially if she truly meant what she was saying about simply conversing as we took a bath. A shower would feel better in my personal opinion, but that would without a doubt expose me much more than if I was taking a bath. And it wasn’t often you had a princess... Equine or Human, offer you to take a bath with them. If she saw anything, it would be an embarrassment I would have to shrug off. As I learned when I had been visiting a European village in the mountains, I would say the same that they would say about a mistake; C’est la vie... Looking back at Luna, I smiled, but while I felt my heart hammering away in my chest, I let loose a shaky breath, before I said, “I see no harm in accepting, since we will simply be speaking with each other while we bathe.” I felt uneasy about what I had just said, and even though I trusted her more than most of my friends I had for many years, I still felt nervous about what later tonight would hold. Her smile widened even more though, and she seemed to vibrate in place as she nodded happily, but as she pulled me closer to her with one of her wings, I felt that uneasy feeling in my gut only intensify. Yet as the double doors to the dining hall opened up, that unease only increased even more as Princess Celestia walked in through the doors. Her eyes zeroed in on Luna and I, and for the love of Christ, I couldn’t stop the heat in my cheeks from growing. I would need to learn how Luna did that... As the other princess began to make her way closer to us, I saw her smiling softly as she nodded in our direction. While she approached, I heard Luna ring the bell again, and it wasn’t much longer before one of the chefs came into the dining chamber again. While Princess Celestia took a seat across from us, I found Luna leaning closer and whispering softly into my ear, “If thou so desires, perhaps we may yet learn more of each other while relaxing in the gardens after lunch?” Smiling a bit, I noticed Princess Celestia watching us in amusement as she turned and began to speak with a chef that had approached her side. While she was preoccupied, I turned and rubbed my cheek against Luna’s, my version of nuzzling her, before I said just as softly, “Sounds like a plan, my princess.” Albeit reluctantly, I pulled my cheek away from Luna’s warm soft one, before reaching an arm up and placing it across her back. As she leaned against me, I smirked as I teasingly began to play with the end of her folded wings tip, knowing that it would most likely cause some kind of reaction. Princess Celestia let out a contented sigh, before she raised her gaze and looked towards her sister and I with a gentle smile. She inclined her head towards me as she asked, “I trust that you are keeping my sister out of trouble Mark?” Grinning widely, I felt Luna’s breath get hitched in her throat as I tweaked her wingtip a bit, before I nodded. “I think after the, er, incident with you in the throne room,” I chuckled as I pulled Luna tighter against my side, “Luna got it all out of her system. By the way... how did it go with those fine gentlemen after that joke?” The fur around Celestia’s cheeks began to light up with a bright pink color, and her wings twitched once at her sides, before resettling against her body. Her eyes narrowed a bit, but she playfully glared towards us as she leaned forward, “Negotiations with the mining corporations went over smoothly enough, and I must thank you Mark, as yours and my sisters behavior granted me a negotiable advantage.” She gave a very light giggle, before she looked towards me with a wide smile, “You see, after you acted childishly, I was able to have them lower their negotiations into my favor.” Her giggle came again, but this time she dropped her glare as her horn ignited, and a full tea set appeared out of thin air in front of us, accompanied by three tea pristine white teacups. As the Princess flared her horn, the pedestal beneath the teapot flickered with magic, before a soft golden flame ignited and began to lick at the bottom of the porcelain pot. As Celestia moved a tea cup to Luna, and I, including herself using her magic, I saw her looking over towards Luna and I with a very interested smile, before she asked, “Sister, are you alright? You’re looking absolutely flustered. Is there something you wish to discuss?” Turning my head and looking at my dear infatuated princess, I found her looking back at me, with indeed, an extremely flustered appearance. Her cheeks were flushed as dark scarlet as they could possibly achieve with her fur coloration, and her ears were perked forward, while her muzzle was scrunched up from a forced smile with a very visible frown beneath. Her body seemed tense, and as she turned her eyes to look back at her sister, she cleared her throat loudly, though she seemed to try and seem dignified as she shook her head, “N-Nay sister, I was just, eh-hem, thinking about today’s earlier events.” When she was finished speaking, she took in a deep breath, but it was then that I discovered what my little wing tease was doing to her. I smirked as she looked back at me, and as I did, a thought about how this looked to the other princess flashed through my mind. Though I didn’t pay that thought much mind, I had to give Luna an A for effort with how well she was taking my physical teasing. Unlike this morning when she had woken up, she wasn’t gasping or squirming when I had played with her wings; yet I hadn’t even touched her feathers how I had this morning. Dropping my smirk, I settled for a small smile as I simply stopped playing with the tip of her wing to instead rub her side... though with pony physiology I wasn’t sure if I was hitting another erogenous zone or not. Yet I felt I wasn’t as the tense expression began to fade away slowly, though it didn’t quite disappear entirely. Turning my head back towards the elder sister, I knew it would be a bit before her nerves, the ones I most likely sent raging, were collected enough to engage in actual conversation without her stuttering or possibly showing through with what I had done to her. So with that in mind, I asked a question that would possibly lead to a conversation long enough to keep focused on me. “So Princess Celestia, when was the last time you have went swimming?” “Please, simply refer to me as Celestia,” she laughed softly as she began to pour herself a cup of steaming tea, “I know Lulu has you do the same.” “Tia!” Chuckling heartily, I looked to my side and at Luna, admiring the burning bright cheeks and angry scowl across her muzzle. “Lulu?” My curious question brought her scowl into my direction, and I felt my smile shift into something more of a nervous grin. Before anything bad could happen or be said, Celestia intervened, “To answer your question, Mark. I believe the last time I went swimming was back when Lulu and I were mere filly’s. It was a sparkling water lake, with even a waterfall nearby. It’s been so long, I can’t even tell you where that lake is anymore.” Celestia let out a mournful sigh as she poured Luna and I tea, “Those were the best days. So carefree...” First Luna, and now Celestia as well? Do these mares really get so little free time that they hardly ever get to relax and unwind? But if that were true, then I would’ve expected them to be more stressed than they act. As Celestia began to idly sip her tea, I looked over and easily read the reminiscing expression across Luna’s muzzle, in her eyes, along with the slightly droopy ears. It pained me just to see Luna looking so glum, especially with how happy she always seemed before. I'm only one man... I don’t know how Celestia would unwind, but I know of how I can ease Luna’s burdens... if not give her somebody to lean against. And if we are truly going to the gardens to relax after this, then I had a pretty good idea what I could do that will give her the most relaxation without it being teasing or playful at all. God only knows how much she deserves it. Reaching a hand towards the table, I grabbed my teacup and brought it to my lips, before taking a small sip. It was sweet, and tasted like honey. It smelled just the same, though with a hint of cinnamon in it as well, giving it a comforting effect. “I take it you like the tea?” Looking up and past the rim of the cup, I saw Celestia smiling as she held the teapot up, and I lowered the cup as I nodded. “I do. Is this an Equestrian tea, or...?” “It is. During a visit to Trottingham, I sat down at a small local restaurant, and the family that lived there made the tea, and I have been drinking it ever since.” She brought the teapot over to my cup with her magic, and she poured me a cup as she asked, “Do you have a preference for when you are at home?” “Thanks.” Celestia took the teapot back and placed it back on the pedestal, and as I began to rub the side of Luna’s side again, I shrugged my shoulders as I asked, “It’s nothing fancy, but I like to drink Vanilla bean tea. I was shopping for groceries and I saw the tea section, and I grabbed a few boxes, with that one being my favorite. So as you say, I’ve been drinking it ever since.” I finished with a smile, and as if it was planned, the chefs came out of the kitchen. I looked over my shoulder and saw the Unicorns were either levitating plates or the regular Earth ponies were pushing carts. Yet as they continued to push the carts closer, I felt a breath wash over my neck, before Luna whispered softly, “I will repay thee for thy wing play later...” As she planted a soft kiss against my cheek, I felt her wing unwrap from my back, and I felt a deep gut churning chill run through my body as my face warmed up. Gone was the at ease feeling I had felt, as I had clearly heard the tenseness still within Luna’s voice. Her appearance had persuaded me she hadn’t been feeling as tense as when I had been playing with her wing... I was wrong. As I shuddered a bit at the hail of thoughts crossing my mind with what she would do, I let out a mental sigh. ...Ces’t la vie... ... Easing my way into a sitting position on the ground, I leaned my back against a tree, doing my best to ignore the smirk Luna was still shooting my way as she simply sat down beside me. She pressed her body against mine, and then proceeded to wrap her hooves around my neck as she asked, “So, dost thou wish to go first, or shall I do the honors?” Keeping my eyes directly on hers as she pressed the tip of her nose against mine, I felt heat rushing into my cheeks as I nearly pressed forward into a kiss, but I simply pushed forward enough that her cheeks began to darken in color. Her eyes twinkled merrily as I looked into them, yet I knew my answer. Pulling away a bit, I saw the slight disappointment flash behind her eyes, though her smile dropped not an inch. “I am actually curious... what all kind of work do you perform as a princess?” Her eyes seemed to take on a new look, almost as if she was trying to figure out where the new line of conversation was going, even if she didn’t verbally say that. She smiled curiously, before she said slowly, “Thy question is a strange but interesting one, so I shall answer it nonetheless. My work consists of Night court, filing and submitting papers, as well as performing the occasional public service.” Her eyes narrowed a bit as she leaned closer, her muzzle inching its way closer to my lips as she smirked just a tad wider. She turned just enough that her body separated from our own, though her movements didn’t cease until she was flush against my body once again. Her muzzle lightly pressed against my lips, though obviously not in a kiss; romantic or otherwise. She hummed thoughtfully, her eyes closing just a tad bit, before she pulled away enough to ask, “Thou aren’t planning on petitioning for my hoof in marriage, are thee?” Moving my lips closer to her own, I stopped shy of the contact she had done moments ago and said carefully, noting the fact her eyes, while closed a bit were still watching my own intensely. “I may plan on placing that petition in eventually, but I first wish to know my love interest just a bit more.” Feeling a bit of warmth creeping into my cheeks, I instead offered my services, “I was thinking, I could perhaps lessen your workload enough when you need to go back to being a princess, that you can by chance enjoy yourself a bit more.” While she didn’t show much of an outward reaction, I still felt her hooves tighten around my neck as she said softly, “Thy offer is sweet... you do know I can spend days at a time working on a single petition, correct?” That is... pretty long... Grinning a bit, I shook my head and let that thought truly sink in, or at least until a thought kicked in. Smiling a bit wider, I felt a chuckle leave my throat from the absurdity, and then I said, “I didn’t know that it could take that long, but even if I couldn’t help with the workload, I could still spice up your day.” Giving her my trademark smirk, I moved one of my hands to her free wing, before giving it a rub from the joint to the tip, “I could possibly help with any soreness or stiffness you would get from remaining so still during those long work days.” Moving my hand away from her back and onto her shoulders, I shifted my motions from teasing, to something a bit more relaxing for Luna. The moment she had started to tense up had shifted to one of enjoyment as she instead sighed softly from the ministrations I was giving her withers. My hands glided over her fur effortlessly, an effect that found Luna’s head soon resting on my shoulder. With her relaxing so comfortably against my body, I couldn’t help but fondly memorize this moment for all eternity, knowing this wasn’t something the average day person got to enjoy. Yet as I sat there, Princess practically in my lap and simply enjoying my touch, I leaned in closer and said softly, “Or I can simply help you feel like a mare, instead of a princess that needs to appear noble to everyone else...” She nuzzled into my shoulder while moving her fore hooves away from my neck and then around my back, “Thy offer is tempting, my lovely human...” Her hooves pulled me closer to her as she hugged me tightly, and as she did, I continued to move my fingers through her fur, moving upwards enough to remain just on the base of her neck. While I wrapped my other arm around the middle of her back and held her against me, I felt shift a bit until she sighed once more. “Luna?” Her muzzle barely moved from its place on my shoulder, but she hardly acknowledged me, other than to utter a brief ‘mhmm’ sound. Yet once I knew I had her attention, I asked my next question, “What was it like when you were growing up? You are young and beautiful now, yet we are all naïve when we are younger... so?” Once I was finished my question however, Luna giggled fondly as she pushed away from my body, her eyes glancing around briefly, before she used a hoof to shoo a guard that was standing watch away. The guard glanced between us, before moving through the gardens tall hedges, trees, and out of sight. When she looked back at me, she moved herself entirely into my lap, her forelegs moving on either side of my head as she lowered her muzzle until her eyes were level with my own. She smiled widely as she said, “Life was easy and simple, Tia and I were always carefree with our time. And when we had stallions of our own, they experienced passion like thou hast never seen before. We were young and alive.” Her eyes flashed mischievously, before she dove forward and wrapped her forelegs around the back of my head, pulling me deeply into her lips as she passionately kissed me. Our eyes shut tightly but I responded to her kiss by moving forward, using my hands to pull her closer as well. Her muzzle disconnected from my lips all too soon, and as her breath washed over my lips, I cracked open my eyes and found her already looking back into my own, her eyes wide and sparkling with affection. Her breathing was heavy; her wings stretching wide beside her, and her tongue ran across her lips in a provocative fashion. She winked endearingly, before she spoke again, “I know I’m still young and alive!” Smiling alongside her, I rubbed the back of her head softly where I had held her during our make out, and added my two cents in with her own, “And still plenty passionate.” Her eyes closed a bit, though she still kept a close eye on me as she tilted her head down and placed her muzzle beside my ear, her voice sounding out huskily as she whispered, “In more ways than one, my dear Mark.” She pulled away just enough to move her muzzle back in front of my lips, yet as she looked into my eyes, I felt her hind legs shift just enough to accent her point, and that was enough to allow heat and color to erupt into my cheeks. While verbally she hadn’t said anything too provocative, her implifications as well as her actions, were easily conceived as something else entirely, sexually in my perspective. Her eyes glanced downwards, before she grinned all the more and said a bit too jovially, “My my, thou seems to agree in more ways as well my dear Mark.” My heart skipped a beat, and I smiled nervously, though she asked a question that I would’ve preferred to not have been worded, “How about you? Can thou be as passionate with your princess?” With recent activities, words exchanged, and implifications, it just wasn’t possible for any more heat to invade my cheeks. Though as she looked into my eyes, I saw the lust hidden behind those beautiful azure orbs, though this was progressing much quicker than I was capable of dealing with, or handling, so I knew it was time to defuse it. “I can be just as passionate with my princess, though it may be too soon for us to perform such an act.” Her eyes narrowed, her lips widened as she smiled, though I continued, “So beautiful and wise. You are still so very young... but I wish to enjoy this moment while it is here. Isn’t it better to savor something sweet, and enjoy it even more later?” My reasoning was sketchy at best, as I couldn’t think properly with the blood flow to my cheeks, yet I did see the burning desire behind her eyes dying down to something a bit less demanding. Instead, her eyes sparkled a bit less, though she remained seated there, until she shook her head lightly, and then said softly, though I heard not a drop of regret, “I apologize Mark.” Her eyes closed, and I felt her shift a bit more into my lap, before she remained still and giggled softly, until she asked, “So, my lovely human... how was thy childhood?” Once she settled back down and my heart stopped racing quite as much, I got comfortable myself and started off, just this time careful to avoid her erogenous zones; I had no doubt in my mind she had acted that way on just a spur of the moment. “Well, I had a standard childhood... rather textbook really, or at least until I got older. Once I was able to, I started to travel, though not luxuriously.” Grinning a bit, I turned and looked across the gardens at the many exotic fauna. “After a while, I began to work with National Geographic... I got to get paid to do what I enjoyed as I traveled. Got to see many amazing sights, wonderful people, and to explore many new opportunities...” Turning my head and pushing my cheek against the side of Luna’s face, I chuckled lightly, before planting a soft kiss below her ear and spoke endearingly, “Although in all my years, I never thought I would be granted the chance of dating royalty, especially someone as beautiful as you.” After pulling away, I felt Luna move enough that her cheek nuzzled against my own, her muzzle parting for her to speak, “Normally, flattery doesn’t get one far. Thy flattery will get you very far however, my love.” My love...? Smiling a bit wider as her hooves tightened around my shoulders, I pulled my head back enough to turn my lips towards her ear, where I then whispered softly, “It isn’t flattery if it is the truth, my love.” Right after I finished speaking, I felt a chill wash through my body, before heat quickly followed without hesitation. Luna hummed happily as she nuzzled into my cheek, and as I returned the gesture, I swallowed as I spoke confidently, knowing my thoughts were true, and my words would hold the honesty I felt in them. “Sure, you may be an Equine and I a human, yet I can see the beauty you possess.” Pulling my cheek away from her own, I brought a hand to her cheek and rubbed it slowly, locking my eyes onto her own. “Such a beautiful and well-kept coat of fur, a lovely smile, and a voice that is pleasant to hear and to listen too.” Luna’s eyes sparkled as she smiled back at me, her head tilting forward until her forehead was resting against my own, and her lips inches from my own. She closed her eyes just a tad bit while a part of her mane fell between us and waved in front of one of her eyes. She leaned forward and kissed me very lightly on my lips, yet it was a brief and sweet kiss, as she asked with a sense of meek interest, though in a knowing tone, “Is that all Mark?” She leaned forward and let her lips dance with my own in a series of light pecks and caresses. Closing my eyes as I reveled in the sensation of her touch, I leaned away from her lips, if only to continue for just a little longer. “Your eyes, so bright and wise, are just as beautiful, yet knowing. Such a lovely azure color... almost as lovely as the feeling of your lips against my own...” Leaning forward and catching her lips with my own, I shared a gentle yet passion filled kiss with Luna, yet only until she pulled away. I opened my eyes, finding her opening hers as well. Once our eyes were open just enough that we could look into the others eyes, we simply sat there and looked into each other’s eyes, enjoying each other’s company more than anything else. Nothing else mattered to me besides looking into her deep bright blue eyes; not the scenery behind her, not the late evening sun setting high above, nor the fact that anyone that dared to peep would see us in our romance. Her smile was the most beautiful thing around, its gentle curve upwards at the edges of her mouth showing just how happy she was. The way her eyes sparkled as she looked back into my own eyes, the unwavering resolve to simply look back at me, showed to me what I could only assume was undying affection. Yet the longer we looked at each other, the happier she began to seem, until a pair of bright tears slid free from the corner of her eyes. Their path glided over the surface of her cheeks, leaving not a single stain on her fur. Yet as I moved a hand up and wiped the tears from her cheeks, more began to silently flow, her smile never falling; only growing. Before I even had a chance to ask what was wrong, her lips split into a grin, before she sniffled softly. Her eyes twinkled with mirth and happiness as she brought a hoof up and wiped her eyes. As I moved my hand to wipe away more tears, I felt my smile slowly faltering, but my motion was stopped when Luna placed her other hoof against my chest and laughed weakly. Her teary eyes poked over her hoof, before she spoke, “I’m sorry, thy worry is for naught. Just... I look into thy eyes, and I see all of my past lovers. Thou aren’t the first non-equine to become my partner... yet thou... you are the first to stir my emotions in such a way Mark.” She looked away, more tears rolling down her cheeks as she sniffled some more, a weak laugh leaving her muzzle as she wiped her cheeks. Since I couldn’t reach her cheeks or back, I settled for holding her hoof in a comforting gesture. She looked back at me with a jovial smile, her eyes twinkling even more as she continued from before, “Thy words, thy touch... the way thou lookest at me... it is... words fail to describe my love for thee.” “I... thank-” Luna’s muzzle quickly pressed against my lips, her fore hooves snaking around my body and pulling me closer to her chest as she hugged me tightly. She pulled her muzzle away and moved it to the side, before she looked into my eyes as she said, “No, thank you, my dear Mark!” She looked away, her muzzle falling a bit, “Before thou even knew who I was, you caught me not once, but twice. Most ponies wouldn’t have been so vigilant around a pony they don’t know, yet thou,” her smile grew again, “thou caught me, and at the cost of thy own comfort and attire, made sure I didn’t get made a fool of. I am glad I met you Mark... thy character has made me the happiest mare in all of Equestria...” Looking up into her sparkling eyes, I saw the tears still flowing, just not as quickly as before. She just poured her heart out to me... I had once considered settling down, to quit travelling as much as I do, and even to get a normal constant paying job. Yet I had always viewed love as being one of those out of reach concepts, something that if you found, it would hold you down and keep all the greater joys of life out of reach. A romantically setting required you to remain loyal to a single person, to remain at their sides and to live your life with them, essentially stopping everything I had enjoyed in my life up to this moment. All of those prior thoughts flew straight off into the air as I looked back at Luna, and I found myself realizing that there wasn’t any other course of my life that I would rather partake in than sharing my life with this mare. I had met her not as a Princess and a commoner, rather just another person, or rather pony, seeking to enjoy her birthday at a nightclub. Smiling a bit more than I had before, I inclined my head towards her and said, “Luna, I am honored that you feel so strongly about me. I... you are a beautiful mare Luna... you are a princess, but most importantly, you are a mare that deserves to experience the love only a human can give.” Reaching a hand up now that I was able to, I scratched the back of her ear and said, “Is there any questions you wish to ask this time...?” I didn’t want to change the subject, yet it obviously held some sort of painful memories for her. “Nay... it has been a rather long day... perhaps we can take that bath, and then retire for the night...” Time for the bath... ... Pulling my shirt off and over my head, I looked to the side and placed it atop of my jeans, which were folded atop of my shoes. I turned and looked back towards the large steaming bath that I was going to soon be hopping into, yet with the only other occupant already relaxing within its confines, watching my every move with a soft smile and a small blush across her cheeks. As I turned around and faced the pile of clothes and royal attire, I took in a deep breath, and willed my slightly shaking hands to reach down to my waistband and to start pulling down my underwear. Once my underwear were off, I kicked them over to my clothes, and let my breath out. I wasn’t too keen on what I was about to do, yet I had already decided to go in proud and get to the bath without any shame. So as I turned around, I avoided looking towards Luna as I marched towards the edge of the bath, already knowing what the sound of dripping water was coming from. I kept my steps firm and quick, my jaw set and eyes forward, feeling my cheeks burning as I stopped by the water’s edge, and then quickly lowered myself and hopped in. Only after I was sure my body was hidden beneath the cool dark surface of the bubbly water did I turn and look over towards Luna, and what I saw was basically what I had come to expect. Luna’s eyes were wide, her ears at attention, a bright blush across her cheeks, and a somewhat dopey smile across her muzzle. Behind her and sticking through the surface of the water were a pair of wings, stiff and at attention as much as Luna’s ears, which were too starting to color a bit. Luna seemed to come back to her senses, before she experienced a giggling coughing fit. Her eyes only left my own to drift towards the water, before they went back to my eyes. She brought a hoof up and ran it through her mane before asking, “So, Mark... are you always like that, or...?” Her implification was clear as she gestured towards the water between us with her hoof, though I also heard the somewhat hidden question she had asked. Huffing in embarrassment, I turned my head to the side and said, “No... I decided that it would be better to be seen as a man...” The water shifted, and I looked over and saw Luna sidling up to me, though she kept her eyes above the water as she did. Her blush didn’t lessen as she spoke either, “I heard Humans couldn’t conceal themselves, but I never assumed I would see thou so,” she snickered briefly, a hoof moving up to cover her muzzle a bit as she finished, “dignified.” Frowning a bit as she stopped directly beside me, I kept the corner of my eye on Luna as I said, “Using a fancy word doesn’t change the meaning...” The smile on Luna’s muzzle only widened as she looked towards me mischievously. I turned to look at her, and she responded by asking, “Was my Mark proud to be bathing with his princess?” The wording brought more heat to my cheeks than before, and Luna leaned in and asked, “Is that better?” Rolling my neck, I thought about that for a few moments, before I looked back at her and shook my head as I said, “No... not really.” Luna hummed thoughtfully as she shifted a bit in the water, her wings slowly sinking beneath the surface, before she looked away from me and sent a burst of magic down her horn. The light from her magic caused me to shield my eyes a bit or risk temporary blindness, yet once the light dissipated to something a bit more comfortable, I looked over and saw just what Luna was doing. In her magic’s hold was a bottle of shampoo, a bottle that looked like it had taken steroids while being made. Human shampoo... perfect for maybe a hundred uses. Equestrian shampoo... looks good for maybe a few thousand uses... I couldn’t hold back the grin from that thought, yet as Luna turned and looked at me, she levitated the shampoo closer to her back and presented it to me. “Mark, I hear that a humans touch is so much more sensual during a bath, especially during the application of shampoo into ones fur. Magic is useful for many things, but it lacks such a fulfilling sensation as another’s touch. Perhaps thou can use those magical fingers of yours?” She smiled warmly as I took the bottle of shampoo from her, but as I did, I looked from the bottle, a product that featured a glistening coat of fur, before I returned my gaze to Luna’s now presented back. Earlier I didn’t want to agree to a shared bath, and while I still felt reluctant to be in the bath with Luna, even with our shared affection, I couldn’t help but feel this was coming. Getting me to agree to taking a bath would’ve of course been step one of a plan, and then secondly, once in the bath; getting me to help bathe her. Yet as I held the bottle, my mind began to churn, and I felt the answer slowly becoming obvious. Every instance where her magic had come in contact with my body, it had felt similar to a smooth pressure being applied across the area. I wouldn’t deny my princess a guilty pleasure through a back massage while bathing... Turning the bottle over, I let the shampoo fall into a hand, before flipping it back over and placing the oversized bottle onto the baths’ rim. Lathering my hands up, I moved just a tad bit closer to Luna, stopping only once I felt the semi-solid feeling of her tail roll across my thigh. “Alright Luna... this may feel cold.” Pressing my hands against her back, I felt the muscles in her back tense up beneath my hands as her wings slowly lifted away from her sides. They lifted no more than a foot, but that was with my hands simply lying across her back. So as I used my fingers to curl up and then dig slowly into her fur how I would with my hair, I slowly worked the shampoo deeper into her fur. My careful ministrations brought Luna’s humming back, and while her wings quivered occasionally, they rose no more. “Mark, thou travelled often, yes?” Looking up from my work, I felt a bit curious about what she was going to ask next as I said, “Not often, but I travelled to a lot of places.” As soon as I finished, I moved onto another spot of her back, drawing out a low pleasured coo from her as I began to work again, before she coughed and spoke once more, “Would you mind telling me more about where thou travelled? I can offer you tales of my own travels in return.” Feeling a smile cross my lips, I paused my ministrations as I said, “I would be delighted.” Resuming my work, I let my mind wander in an attempt to think of the best place Luna would like. There were parts of South America in the forested regions I could tell her about, but they weren’t as exciting, rather just boring stories. I could tell her about my exploits in parts of North America, yet the portal between our two worlds was right there, so she wouldn’t be able to experience the true other-worldly feel compared to if it was another country. Yet as I thought about it, maybe one of my trips to Europe would be a good idea, just the only one that was really interesting was when I had been going up into the mountains. “Hmm... I have just the one.” Grinning a bit wider, I moved my hands carefully around her wings as I let the memories immerse my mind. “I was travelling with a group one time in a part of France that led into the mountains. Since the roads to the town we were going to weren’t paved or even well worn, we had needed to walk for maybe twenty miles before we arrived. Naturally, a walk that long is horribly boring, yet luckily for us, we had a tour guide that knew many jokes.” Feeling a chuckle leave my throat, I shook my head before continuing, “I can’t remember exactly how they went, yet they enough for those twenty miles for sure.” I couldn’t remember exactly what was said during that hike, yet the memories of everyone laughing were what remained the brightest. “Surely that isn’t all thee has to say about thy trip into the French mountains...” Luna glanced back at me teasingly.” “No, I was just thinking about that trip a bit.” Letting my eyes wander back to Luna’s soft coat of fur, I looked at the suds that lightly coated her fur as I worked my fingers across her sides. “When we reached the village, it was nestled in a small valley further up the mountains. The first day we were there, that was the first time I had needed to bathe while in sight of another person... it is actually why I agreed to take a bath with you.” Luna glanced over her shoulder at me again, this time her soft smile was accompanied by a curiosity that glinted brightly in her cobalt blue eyes. I couldn’t help but chuckle as I purposely reached a hand up to tweak the base of her wing while continuing, “They used a saying a lot up in those mountains, and I first heard it when they learned I was uncomfortable with bathing in the presence of another; C’est la vie...” Luna’s ears twitched against her head, though it was a surprise when she echoed me in English, “That’s life...” I opened my mouth wordlessly, though I closed it in amusement as I asked, “Is this another one of those strange similarities between Equestria and Earth?” “Aye, it is.” She leaned back while I ran a slow finger around the rim of the joint of her wing, a soft sigh leaving her muzzle in a languid exhalation of air. I vaguely was aware that I wanted nothing more than to stop my ministrations, yet I couldn’t find it in myself to do just that; instead I found myself drawing my movement out around her wing, yet not quite pushing myself to do more. Yet the allowance of her head on my shoulder soon brought the rest of her body closer, until the point where I wrapped my arm around her barrel and held her slightly against me, even if to simply hold her up and ‘off’ of me. By now, my grin had faded to more of a thoughtful neutral expression, but I still took heed to pay attention to my current situation, as I would stop if this proceeded to far for comfort. As was, I could feel her wings ‘hugging’ my sides from their extended positions. Pulling my head back just enough to look at Luna’s own, I saw her eyes were closed while her muzzle simply hung open, a happy and pleasant smile tugging at the edges of her lips. She was in a blissful state that I hadn’t seen her in before, yet as I let my mind think about it, I couldn’t keep a single thought from nagging at the back of my head. Perhaps I allowed this to go on for too long already... Moving my lips to the side of her head, I pressed my face against hers, though I stopped, a new fleeting thought crossing my mind. She and her sister seemed to receive almost no romantical contact with anyone, or anypony, even as far as having not time for even recreational relaxing activities... That bounced around my head for a bit, yet I nearly shook my head as a new, more logical thought drifted across my thoughts. Despite the fact of how true that is, I should still act with more sense than I even now am. I doubt Luna is as superficial as half the female population on Earth is, yet I don’t want to ruin the relationship I have with her by moving so quick with our relationship. If teasing her earlier by playing with her wings had an arousing effect on her, proof by how she was acting this morning and now, then I shouldn’t be doing it with so little care as I am right now. With my mind set, I slowly eased my ministration away from her wings’ joint, though I didn’t entirely stop my movement from washing the rest of her body, nor did I push her away; I actually found myself enjoying this closeness to her. Yet I knew I could also gain some insight aw well from my recent actions, so as I moved my lips across her fur, I stopped once I couldn’t turn my head back anymore and asked quietly, enjoying the still silence and slight slosh of water that had taken over, “Luna... I been meaning to ask. Why is it that when I grab or touch even remotely close to you wings, that I get such a reaction from you?” Her eyes cracked open, and she glanced over at me with a slight tilt of her head, her eyes glancing between my own as her wings slowly eased themselves away from my sides. A small, very small smile stretched across her lips before she leaned over and planted a delicate kiss against my lips. And then she spoke, “As I am sure thou has noticed, ponies, even people, don’t go around grabbing the wings on any species that has such. They are very sensitive... that is why they allow us such precise flight... it is also why I react like so when thy fingers glide so softly through or around them.” Her eyes closed as she resumed lying against me entirely, and her request wasn’t one I was surprised about, “Now then, if thy queries are finished, I would very much enjoy feeling your hands working across my fur again... it has been much too long since I last felt so relaxed...” Grinning a bit as I shook my head, I let my hands return to simply rubbing across her fur in what I could only hope was a soothing gesture. My fingers ran not only across, but through her fur in a way I hoped would relax her only further, yet then I remembered something else that while not important, was still of an interest to me. Squeezing her body with the arm I held around her, I asked with none too little interest, “If you don’t mind, can you tell me of one of your travels around Equestria?” Luna shifted a bit, before she nodded. Her voice was as smooth as silk and sweet as honey as she asked, “What subject does my lovely human wish to hear about?” “Whatever it is my lovely mare wishes to tell me.” I replied with a bit of amusement coated in my tone. Once again, silence stretched out between the two of us, yet it wasn’t before long that Luna cleared her throat and asked, “Have thee met a griffon yet?” “No... but I have heard of them.” She laughed lightly as she began, “Well then, thou arte in for a treat I suppose. Tia and I were on a mission to establish peaceful trade negotiations with the Griffon Empire... roughly two thousand years ago... and please note Mark, I wasn’t one for idle diplomatic negotiations back during the early days of Equestria...”